M.A. Alumna Ashley Pasay is a Senior Digital Marketing Strategist at Highmark, Inc. Thursday, May 16, 2013
Meet Ashley (Orr) Pasay
Job title and employer: Senior Digital Marketing Strategist, Highmark Inc.
Degrees earned: Master of Arts in journalism and mass communication, Point Park University; Bachelor of Arts in communications, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Graduation years: 2008, 2005
Hometown: Lower Burrell, Pa.
High School: Burrell High School
Now living in: Lawrenceville, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Yoga, travel and reading
What led you to pursue your M.A. degree at Point Park?
In today's competitive work environment, it is critical to have an advanced degree. Additionally, as marketers, it's imperative to continually develop our skill set to provide meaningful and innovative business solutions. Point Park offered a reputable and flexible way to earn my M.A. and help me grow personally and professionally.
Did Point Park's Downtown Pittsburgh location play a role in your decision to attend the university?
Absolutely. The convenient location and flexibility of the program allowed me to continue working and earn my degree. While working and going to school is never easy, I was able to apply what I was learning to evolve my career in real time.
How has your M.A. degree helped you in your career?
My degree has helped me advance, on numerous occasions, in my career. The curriculum at Point Park is rooted in the fundamentals, but does not ignore the changing landscape. As a student you are taught the core principles required by a communications professional, but also exposed to new channels and the best practices in those areas.
What are your current job responsibilities?
Our team provides an approach that will help identify and address the needs of our customers, while improving our process and engaging our customers on our digital platforms. Responsibilities include:
- Identify and inform internal business stakeholders of digital marketing related best practices and trends.
- Collaborate with business sponsors and set digital direction to ensure the correct digital touchpoint on every project.
- Coordinate all intake requests and manage digital roadmap for multiple complex digital projects across web, mobile and social channels.
- Coordinate project kick-off activities to ensure digital visions and guiding principles are communicated to all project stakeholders.
What are your career goals?
I want to help people understand and embrace new technology to improve their lives. There are so many groundbreaking things out there, with many more to come, that can truly make life easier. Because people are afraid or don't understand, there is resistance. I want to help break down those barriers.
Anything else you would like to add?
If you are thinking about continuing your education, do it. There is no better thing to invest time and money into than yourself!